Flow control and metering device



A. C. PAGE FLOW CONTROL AND METERING DEVICE March 5, 1940.

Original Filed Feb. 17, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR filfred 6. Page.

ATTORNEYS.

March 5, 1940. A. c. we

FLOW CQNTROL AND METERING DEVICE Original Filed Feb. 17, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR J fi'lfrei a Page.

TORNEYS March 5, 1940. c PAGE 2,192,200

FLOW CONTROL AND METERING DEVICE Original Filed Feb. 17, 1936 e Sheets-Sheet f5 k so 2% 261 :4 2 v 2 E ,2az

. 3 INVENTOR Z36 T fill-r64 5: Page.

1258 fi fi face $24.

204 TORNEYS- March 5, 1940. A. c. PAGE FLOW CONTROL AND METERING DEVICE Original Filed Feb. 17, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet v a 4 M wi e M n 1 T :1... ,3. l I I II n e i 1 v y w .6 L 1 i m .J 1 a 0 v fi m 1 a a 2 2 P O a J J INVENTOR L153? filfred C F&'ge.

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,fiax 993 441!- TORNEYS" March 5, 1940. PAGE 2,192,200

FLOW CONTROL AND METERING DEVICE Original Filed Feb. 17, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet 5'- INVENTOR fllfred if: Fge,

ATTORN EYE Marh 5,1940. A, PAGE 2,192,200

FLOW CONTROL AND METERING DEVICE Original F 'iled Feb. 1'7. 1936 s Sheets-Sheet s HNVENTOR filfrgd 6i 2% as;

r g Y ATTORNEYS,

Patented Mar. 5 1940 PATENT OFFICE FLOW CONTROL AND METERING DEVICE Alfred C. Page,

Detroit; Mich.,

assignor to Christie Tufts Page, Detroit, Mich.

Application 20 Claims.

The present invention relates to pumping apparatus, and in particular provides an improved apparatus whereby liquids maybe automatically admitted to and forced from a closed tank by the application of steam, air or gas pressure to the liquid in the tank.

Objects of the present invention are to provide an improved apparatus for automatically pumping liquids, wherein thekliquid is automatically admitted to and forced from a closed tank by the application of steam, .air or gas pressure'to the liquid in the tank; to provide such an apparatus capable of handlingeither large or small quantities of liquids and in which the essential working parts may be located in readily accessible position so that repairs and adjustments may be readily made; to-provide such an'apparatus adapted to handle the liquid being pumped without bringing the liquid into contact with the working parts of the apparatus; to provide apparatus capable of pumping liquid at high or low temperatures and under either low or high pressures, while permitting the working parts of the apparatus to be located in comparatively cool or otherwise remote positions; to provide an improved pumping apparatus as above generally stated, in which the pressure to be admitted to and vented from the tank may be derived either from the apparatus with which the liquid being pumped is associated or may be independently derived; and to provide such apparatus constructed to pump accurately predeterminable quantities of liquid in each cycle, and embodying means to meter or record the quantities.

Further objects of the present invention are to provide an improved pumping apparatus as above generally stated, embodying a closed tank provided with inlet and outlet check. valves, means positioned either within or external tothe tank for measuring the liquid level therein, and means responsive tothe measuring device for controlling the admission to and venting of pressure from the tank, tocorrespondingly control the admission to and forcing from the tank the liquid being pumped; to provide such adevice in which the measuring means is connected by mechanism external to the tank to a pilot valve which inturn controls the admission to and venting of pressure from the tank; to provide such a system in which the pilot valve mechanism is thrown to a venting-position when the level of the liquid in the tank falls to a predetermined extent and is thrown to the pressure position when the level of the liquid in the adapted to'respond to a varying liquid level for bell crank member connected to means directly February 17, 1936,Serial No. 64,379

Renewed May 24, 19 39 tank rises .to a predetermined height, but remains in the position to which it is last thrown during the intermediate travel of the measuring means; and to provide such 'a system embodying valve means for positively cutting off the tank supply in response to operation of the pilo valve.

Further objects of the present invention are to provide an improved pumping apparatus as above generally stated in which the pilot valve may control the admission to and venting from the closed tank of the pressure medium either directly or through relay valve mechanism; to provide such an apparatus in which the previously mentioned closed tank may either directly conduct all of the liquid being pumped, or may have associated therewith a supplementary tank through which the principal body of the liquid is conducted, means being provided to correlate the levels of the liquids in the two tanks; to provide 20 such an apparatus in which the pumping and supplementary tanks may be positioned either adjacent each other or remotely from each other; the closed tank being filled by overflow from the supplementary tank; and to provide 5 such an apparatus in which the valve mechanism associated with the pumping tank may either be positioned remotely therefrom or may be connected directly thereto to 'form an integrated or self-contained pumping unit.

Further objects of the present invention are to provide for 'use in a pumping system of the above stated character or the like, a pilot valve mechanism comprising a chamber having pressure and vent valves and actuating means therefor-comprising a pivoted lever, latch means to hold the lever in either a venting or pressure position 'of the valve and means disposed to respond to the level of the liquid in a tank for releasing the latches and throwing the lever between the respective valve positions; to provide such a valve structure embodying a weighted arm reciprocable back and forth across a surface of the pivoted lever to positions on either side of the axis'thereof, and embodying means efiecting the reciprocatory motion of the arm; and to provide a structure as just stated in which the movement of the arm is effected through a and accurately responsive to a liquid level.

Further objects of the present invention are to provide a relay valve mechanism for use in a q system of the above-described character or the like, embodying a piston valve, the chamber for which may be connected to pressure or vented and embodying pressure and vent valves responsive to the movement of the piston; to provide such a valve embodying a piston chamber .connectible at one end to an external fluid pressure source, and opening at the other end to a pressure derived from the tank or other system being controlled by the valve; to' provide such a valve embodying means to bias the valve to a bucket suspended therein and connected through suitable link mechanism to the pilot valve mechanism; may comprise a float structure similarly connected to the valve mechanism; or may comprise a pair of related and oppositely directed buckets, one of which is disposed to entrap air and act as a closed float, the two buckets functioning to introduce a predetermined lost motion between the rise and fall of the liquid in the pumping tank and the movement of the pilot valve.

Further objects of the present invention are to provide a pumping system of the above generally stated type, in which the mechanism for controlling the admission and venting of pressure from the pumping tank may be located remotely therefrom; in which the measuring elements may be disposed to respond to the differential between a fixed load or force and the opposing static pressure head of the liquid in the tank; in which the measuring element may be disposed to respond to the differential between the static pressure on the supply and exhaust side of the pumping tank; and in which the measuring element may comprise a diaphragm or bellows element, suitably connected to pilot valve mechanism in turn adapted to control the admission to and venting of pressure from the pumping tank, either directly or through relay valves.

Further and more specific objects of the present invention appear in the following description and in the appended claims.

As set forth above, the invention may be characterized'in a broad sense as providing -a pumping system embodying means for automatically admitting liquid to and forcing it from a closed tank by the application of steam, air or gas pressure to the top of the liquid in this tank, means being provided, if desired, to automatically meter the amount of liquid passing through the apparatus. The steam, air or gas pressure, in the broader aspects of the present invention, may be derived either directly from the apparatus to which the liquid is-applied, or may be derived independently thereof.

Illustrative applications of the present invention in systems in which the pressure medium is derived from the apparatus to which the liquid is applied, include the feeding and metering back to and into the boiler of condensate from steam heated apparatus, by the application to a closed tank of steam from the boiler. The apparatus may alsobe-used for the-pumping and the metering of absorbent oils from absorbers to stills, and from the stills to absorbers, in the extraction of gasoline from natural gas, the

tion to systems in which the pressure medium is derived independently of the apparatus with which the liquid being pumped is directly associated, includes the pumping and metering of beverages such as milk and beer, which should not be stirred up or churned; the pumping of acids or corrosive liquids, pumping of sewage or other solid carrying liquids. In each of these instances, the pressure medium may be com-, pressed air or other gas derived from a suitable external source.

A characteristic and important feature of the system is the accuracy of the metering action thereof,,the pilot valve means being constructed to very sensitively respond to the levels of the liquid I passing through the apparatus.

Having in view applications and objects such as those mentioned above, as well as others, preferred but illustrative embodiments of the pr'es ent invention'are shown in the accompanying drawings, throughout which corresponding ref erence characters are used to designate corresponding parts, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation, with. certain of the'parts shown in section, of a boilerfeedsystem embodying the present invention; Fig. 1A is afragmentary view illustrating the use in the system of Fig. 1 of a heat exchange device;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view in vertical section, taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view, taken along the line'33 of Fig. 1, showing the pilot valve mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view in vertical sec tion, taken along the line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view in elevation, taken along'the;

line 5--5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view in elevation of a boilerfeed system adapted for the handling of relatively large quantities of liquid, and embodying certain additionalffeatures of thepresen't invention Fig. 7 is a view in vertical section of the relay a valve mechanism shown generally in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a'view in vertical section of a cut-off valve-preferably utilized in thesystem of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9. isa general view in elevation, illustrat-' ing a seliecontained pumping unit embodying the present invention; 1 L

Fig. 1015 ageneralnview in elevation, with ce tain parts brokenaway, illustrative of a modified construction of self-contained pumping units embodying the present invention;

Fig. 11 is a view in elevation, with certain parts broken away, illustrating a float operated system which may-beused in the practice of the present invention; and

Fig. '12 is a view in elevation with certain of the parts shown in section, of a modified embodiment of 'the'present invention, utilizingi'abellows or 'diaphragm operated element positioned re-' one of the valves preferably utilized in the sysltemof Figure 13;

Fig. 15 is a detail view, partly in section, of

another of the valves preferably used in the system'of Figure 13;

Fig. 16 is a detail view, partly in section, of a valve structure which may be used to combine the functions of the two valves of Figure 14 and Figure 15; and

Fig. 1'7 is a view in elevation of a further modi- I back to and into the boiler, utilizing the boiler pressure as the pressure medium. The system shown in Fig. 1 comprises generally a closed pump tank 28, through which the liquid being pumped passes and which houses a level re- I sponsive bucket 22 a pilot valve designated gen- ,erally as 24 and which very sensitively responds to the level of the bucket 22 within tank 28 to correspondingly control the admission to and venting of pressure from the tank 28; and suitable'water and steam supply and vent lines connecting tank 28 with the illustrative boiler 26 to be fed by the improved pumping apparatus.

, Tank 28 may be of conventional construction, embodying a body portion 38 and a cover 32 removably secured thereto by studs 34. A pipe 38 connected into the tank at the base thereof serves both to support tank 28 above the level of the associated boiler 28, and also to afford communication between the interior of the tank "and a boiler supply line 38 which leads into boilboiler 25.

The removable cover 32 .of tank 28 is provided with a generally centrally positioned, upstanding housing portion 42 which provides bearings for a cross shaft 44 which extends between the opposite wells 46 and 48 of the housing 42, and also extends outwardly of the tank. The bucket 22 is suspended within tank 28 from shaft 44 by a link 58 secured at one end to shaft 44 and pivotally connected at the other end by a pin 52 to a rod 54, the lower end of which is secured to the base of bucket 22. A lever 56, suitably secured to shaft 44 for rotation therewith, is connected to the actuating lever 58 of pilot valve 24 by a suitable chain 88, so that lever 58 of valve 24 responds directly through chain 68, cranks 58 and 58 to the level'within tank 28 of bucket 22.

The cover 32 of tank 28 is provided with a plurality of openings or passages 62, 84 and 86, into which the make up water line 68, the condensate return line I8 and the steam pressure line .12 are connected. The make up water line includes a conventional cut-off valve I4 and a check valve I6, adapted to permit flow in the direction indicated by the arrow but to prevent opposite flow. The condensate line I8 is provided with a corresponding check valve I8 adapted to permit flow in the direction indicated by the arrow but to prevent opposite flow.

- The pilot valve 24 includes a chamber 89 having an outlet passage 82, an inlet passage 84, and a venting passage 86. A pipe 88 which may include a conventional strainer 98 and a cut-off 92 is connected into boiler 28 andinto passage 82 through a valve 85 and stufilng box 87. The port 82 is connected by the previously mentioned pipe 12 to the tank 28. The venting passage is connected, through a valve 94 and stufiing box 95, to a vent line 98, which may include a conventional cut-off valve 98.

- The valve 85 associated with the port 84 is pro vided with a ball I88, the ball being disposed to be moved off its seat by a plunger I82 connected by an intermediate link I84 to a crosshead I88. The nipple 94 associated with vent port 88 is provided with a needle valve, I88 connected by an intermediate link I I8 to the crosshead I88.v

Crosshead I86 is suitably secured upon a squared portion of a shaft H2, the left-hand end of which, as viewed in Fig. 3, is provided with a suitable bearing in the wall of chamber 88, and the right-hand end of which extends through the wall of chamber 88 for cooperation with the valve actuating mechanism. A stuiiing box I I4 is preferably provided to seal the joint between shaft H2 and housing 88.

The actuating mechanism for valve 24 comprises the previously mentioned lever 58 on the outer end of which a suitable counterweight I28 is adjustably secured, and which forms one arm of a bell crank, the other arm of which is designated I22. The bell crank comprising arms 58 and I22 is pivotally supported upon a shaft I24 which extends between brackets I28 which may be suitably secured to or form part of the valve structure. The upper end of the bell crank arm I22 is pivotally connected by a pin I28 to an arm I38, having two spaced legs I29 and I3I,

connected at one end by a counterweight I34 and at the other end by shaft I28. Intermediate the ends of arm I38, a web I84 extends between the two legs I29 and I3I. A roller I32, provided with ball bearings I33, carried upon a shaft I35 extending between legs I29 and I3l rides in a groove upon the upper surface of a pivotally mounted lever I36.

The lever I36 is drivingly connected to the valve shaft H2 and provided with a pair of spaced shoulders I48 and I42 on. the right-hand side thereof, as viewed in Fig. 4, and a corresponding pair of shoulders I44 and I48 on the left-hand side thereof. These pairs of shoulders cooperate respectively with latches-l48 and I58, each of which is pivotally secured by a pin I52 and I54, respectively, to the valve structure. A coil spring I56 individual tolawn I48 urges it in a counter-clockwise direction around its pivot pin I52 and an adjustable stop I58 limits mo tion thereof in a clockwise direction. A corresponding spring I68 individual to latch I58 urges it in a clockwise direction and an adjustable stop I82 therefor limits rotation in the opposite direction. The upper ends of each of the latches I48 and I58 are disposed in the path of web I84 of arm I38.

The lever I38 is shown in the various figures in the position in which it is effective to permit ball valve I88 to close the steam line 88, and to hold the needle valve I88 off its seat, thereby and by the engagement of the shoulder I48 a movement to the left of the cross arm I36,

the roller I32 thereof rolling along the grooved surface of the lever I36. As this movement continues, the cam I66 on arm 136 engages the upperend of the latch I50, and rotates it in a counter-clockwise direction against the force of the associated compression spring I60. This rotation of latch I56 moves the-shoulder -I 12 thereof out of supporting relation to the shoulder I 46 of lever 136. This latter movement occurs after roller I32 has passed tothe left (as viewed in Fig. 5) of the axis of rotation of lever I36, so that the weight of arm I36 and counterweight I32 now cause counter-clockwise rotation of lever I36. This rotation is'interrupted when the shoulder-IM of lever I36 engages thesupporting-shoulder I72 of latch I56. This rotation of lever 536 also moves shoulder I42 thereof above the level of shoulder I76 of latch M8, permitting the latter to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction under the influence of compression spring I56 to a position in which shoulder no is in engagement with and in supporting relation to shoulder M2. In each of its two limiting positions, the lever I36 is thus firmly supported by the two latches Hi3 and I56.

The counter-clockwise rotation of lever I36 effects a corresponding counter-clockwise rotation of shaft H2, which, as viewed in Fig. 4, effects a closing movement of needle valve 1 08, and moves the ball valve I66 off its seat,-admitting steam under the pressure of boiler 26 to. the valve chamber, from which it-is communicated to the tank 26 through the pipe 72.

Theadmission of pressure to tank 26, asjust described, results in a fall of the level of the liquid therein and a corresponding fall of the position of bucket 22, as described in more detail hereinafter. The fall of bucket 22 results in a corresponding rise ofthe left-hand end of arm 58 and a corresponding movement to the right, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 5, of arm 530, the roller I32 during such'movement rolling along the upper surface of the lever I36. At a point in themovement of arm I36, corresponding to the limit-to the desired fall of the liquid in tank 29, web I64 of arm I36 engages .and rotates latch M8 in a clockwise direction around its pivot pin I52, moving the shoulder I16 thereof out of supporting relation to lever I36 and permitting the latter to rotate in a clockwise direction under the weight of arm I 36, which is now impressed thereon at a point to the right of the axis of lever I36, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 5. Lever I36 thus rotates to the position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5 in which latch I48 supports shoulderv I40 thereof and latch I56 supports shoulder M4 thereof. The clockwise rotation of lever I36 correspondingly rotates shaft II2, moving plunger I62 out of supporting relation to ball this interval being negligible, however, since the mechanism acts very rapidly upon release of lever I36 by the latches.

It will be seen, therefore, thatrise of liquid I to a predetermined level in tank 20 resultsrin actuating valve 24 to aposition in which the vent port 86 is closed. and the pressure port 84 .is'

open, thus conducting steam under pressure from boiler 26 to tank 26, which pressure acts to lower the level of the liquid in tank '26.

Similarly,

when the level of the liquid in tank 26 falls to a predetermined point, valve 22 is actuated to open the vent ports, venting tank 20, and closing the pressure port, which resultsin a rise of the liquid in tank 26, as described hereinafter. The valves thus operate continuously between the venting and pressure positions, responding very sensitively to the liquid levels in tank 26.

Each cycle thus involves an up and a down movement of ball crank arm 56, and, to record the quantity of liquid pumped, suitable counting mechanism 6i maybe connected for actuation by arm 58 through chain 59, or other connected means.

It will be evident from the foregoing description that valve 22 and its operating mechanism, I

as just described, may be positioned atany suitable or desirable point remote from the boiler 26 and also remote from the associated tank 20, the respective. connections between these elements being such as to readily accommodate such remote locations. It .will also be apparent that tank 26 may be located at any desirable point remote from boiler 26, the only requirement in the present instance being that the level of tank .ze shall be above that of boiler 26, since the pressure within boiler 26 acts through line 88 to feed or suitably secured to the downwardly extending legs I8 1 associated-with the valve housing.

Considering now the operation of theabove describedembodiment as a Whole, it will beunderstoodithat the steam output of boiler 26, after being circulated through the associated system (not-shown) may be returned to theboilerby A way of the line 16,.suitable pumping apparatus (not shown) being utilized to supply liquid under suitable head to the'line 76. The check valve 18 acts to permit a flow through line 76 when. the pressureon the right-handside thereof as viewed in Fig.1 is less'than that on the left-hand. side thereof, or stated in another way, to permitsuch flow when tank 26 is vented through valve 24. At this time, check valve :46 is closed under the influence of the pressure existing withinboiler 26, thus preventing a. flow from boiler 26 through pipesil and 36into tank 26.

Theliquid thus admitted to tankZIl byway of the'condensate return line 16, or through themake-up line 68, enters tank 26 through the passages-fil-and 62 respectively, which passages are positioned above bucket 22, and ultimately fills bucket 22 and overflows therefrom intothe tank space around buckets 22. the liquid in tank 26 rises :around bucket Z2the buoyancy thereof increases or stated in: anothe'r way,. the effective weight thereof decreasespper- As the level of mitting arm 58 and counterweight I20 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction as viewed'in' the figures, moving arm I30 of valve 24 to the'left as viewed in Figs. 1 and 5.

When the level in tank 20 reaches'a predetermined height, determined by suitable adjustment of the parts, and to which level arm I30 is sensitively responsive, the accompanying movement of arm I30 trips lever I35 as previously described, closing off the vent port of valve 24 and opening the pressure port thereof, thus connecting boiler 26 to tank 20 by way of the line 88, valve 24 and line I2. As. the pressure thus admitted to tank 20 builds up, it forces check valve I8 to the closed position, and, acting through the liquid within tank 29, pipes 36 and 38, counterbalance the boiler pressure heretofore acting'to maintain the check valve40 in closed position. Tank 20 being positioned above boiler 26, a gravity differential now exists; which forces check valve 40 to the open position, permitting the liquid in tank 20 to initiate a feed into boiler 26.

As this feed continues, and the level of, the liquid in tank 22 correspondingly falls, the now full bucket 22 moves downwardly at a rate proportional to the fall of the liquid in tank 20, and results in a corresponding upward movement of chain Eli and consequently of the arm 58 of valve 24. When the level on the liquid in tank 20 has fallen to the predetermined limit value thereof,

determined by the relative adjustment of the operating parts of the system, the justdescribed movement of arm 58 of valve 24 actuates the latter in the previously described manner to close the steam port and to open the vent-port, thus venting the space above the liquid in tank 20. This venting action relieves the pressure on check valve 78, which correspondingly opens under the influence of the pressure in the supply line, and also permits check valve 40 to close under the influence of the boiler pressure. The flow through tank 20 continues, accordingly, only during the time that valve 24 is in the pressure position,

' that is the position in whichthe vent port is closed and the pressure port is opened. As previously stated, valve 24 occupies thepressure position only while the level of the liquid in tank 20 is between the upper and lower'limit values thereof, being moved to the pressure posi tion when the level reaches a certain upper value and being moved to the vent position; when the pressure reaches the predetermined lower value.

7 Each actuation of the valve 24, therefore, cc-

curs after a predetermined quantity of liquid has passed into the tank 20, the action thereof, being independent of the rate at which the liquid passes through the tank, as well as being substantially independent of the temperature of the liquid. v

The system thus operates continuously to feed successive metered and definite quantities of liqu d to the boiler 26, the number of operations of valve 24 being an accurate measure ofsuch quantities and being transmitted through the previously mentioned chain 59' to suitable counting mechanism Bl.

It will be understood that, in certain instances, the temperature of the contents of they return line l't, which are maintained in liquid form by the pressure in that line, may be sufliciently high that, when discharged intothe vented tank 20, a substantial quantity of the liquid vaporizes and develops an appreciable steam pressure in tank 20. The pressure in line I may be expected to the ventport 225.

be high enough'so that the back pressure thus developed'does not'seriously interfere with the flow through line I0. In many instances, however, the pressure in the make-up water line .68 may be so low that the back pressure developed, as juststateddoes noticeably interfere with the flow through --line 68. 2

To overcome any tendency of the return condensate from producing this interference, the present invention provides for the use of means to suitably lowerthe temperature of the return condensate before it is admitted to tank 20. As

illustrated, a heat exchange unit is interposed in the system, the relatively low temperature liquid in the make-up water line being utilized as the cooling agent. i

Referring to Fig. 1A, the coil I94 of a heat exchange unit B96 is connected into the return condensate line Ill. The enclosing tank I92 of the unit is connected into the make-up water line 68.. With this arrangement, it will be understood that the liquid circulated through the coil I94 is subjected to the cooling influence of the relatively cool liquid circulated through the tank I92 from the line 63. The temperature of the liquid in the return line Ill, when admitted to tank 20, accordingly,- is suificiently low to prevent thegen eration of an objectionable steam pressure within tank 22.- In all other respects, as regards structure and operation, the embodiment of Fig. 1A may be as described above. 2

Considering now the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, the system is particularly adapted to handle liquids in large quantities, and includes a tank a corresponding in all respects, except those noted.

below, to the' previously described tank 2!]; a pilot valve 24a corresponding in all respects to the previously described valve 24; a supplemental tank 20!! and a relay valve 202. Valve 24a re sponds, through chain 60a, to the level of the liquid in tank 20a, and is, connected into boiler 25a through aline 88a and to atmosphere through a vent line 96a, all in the previously described manner.

The line 12a, which corresponds to the line I2 in the previously described embodiment, is branched, the branch 2% thereof being connected into the piston chamber 206 of the just mentioned relay valve2ll2 and the branch 2% thereof being connected into a diaphragm operated cut-off valve 2"]. I

The relay valve 202, shown in more detail in Fig. 7, comprises generally casingmembers 220 and 222 forming between them a valve chamber having a pressure port 224 and a .vent port 226, and an outletport 228. A conventional seal and guide 232 for a poppet type pressure valve 232 is threaded into the pressure port 224, and a nipple 234, forming a seat and guide for a corresponding poppet valve 236, is threaded into- The line 238 threaded into the nipple 234 vents to atmosphere. The pressure supply-line 240 threaded into the casing member 220, in communication with the valve chamber space above valve 232, is connected into the boiler 26a. The line 242 threaded into the outlet passage 228 extends into the tank 2M, to apoint line 204' is threaded. Piston 254, slidably receivedin cylinder 25!), is provided with a piston rod 256, the upper end of which is disposed to engage the lower end of valve 232 and force the latter to an open position in response to upward movement of the piston as viewed in Fig. '7. Piston rod 256 is provided with a notch 258, to receive one end of a lever 260, pivotally supported in the casing upon a squared shaft 2'62. The other end of lever 26!! is disposed to engage the underside of the head 264 of vent valve 236. The squared shaft 262 extends outwardly of the valve casing, andsupports a counterweight lever 266, which acts continuously to urge lever 265) in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. '7, and consequently to move piston 254 upwardly and to move valve 232 to the open position.

The cut-ofi'valve' 218 shown in detail in Fig. 8-, may be of conventional construction, comprising a casing formed to provide chambers 275 and 272Qseparated by a web 2M. A passage 2T5 through web 21 i is adapted to be opened and closed by a valve-2'53, the rod 288' of which ex tends outwardly of the casing through-a suitable stufiing box 232 and into a diaphragm casing Ed the end thereof being secured by nuts 2% to a suitable flexible diaphragm 288. A compression' spring 292 seated between a collar 2%, suitably secured-uponrod 28% and the upper side of the stuifing box 282, urges rod 28% upwardly and consequently urges valve 2118 to the open position as viewed in Fig. 8. The force applied by spring 292-exceeds the resistance to flexing of diaphragm 288, so that valve 2'58 normally occupies an open position, permitting free flow of liquid through the line 53% to the check valve 3&2. Upon the application or pressure to the upper side of diaphragm 28%, through line 2%; as controlled bythe pilot valve Zia, diaphragm 288 is forced downwardly against the force of spring 292' and moves valve 218 to the closed position,

positively shutting off the flow of liquid. through the line-300 and isolating the pumping system from the source of supply. The purpose of'this valve is moved in the description of the operation as a whole.

The supplementarytank 2% is connected to the intake line 3llll through the check valve 382 disposed to permit flow under pressure through line 300 into the pumping system, but to prevent flow in a reverse direction, and through a pipe 304, connected into line 3%- and also connected into the base of tank. Elli). Tank 20B communicateswith boiler 2% through the pipe 394 and a pipe 306 in which is interposed a conventional check valve 308, adapted to permit flow'into the boiler through line 306 but to prevent reverse flow.

The tankszllll and 28a are interconnected by a line 3!!! which is connected into tank 20a in the manner described with reference to the intake line "3 of Fig. 1, and is connected into tank 200- at a level corresponding to substantially the maximum height the liquid is intended to rise in tank ZEEL During operation, accordingly, when the liquid in tank 253i rises to the predetermined value, liquid overflows through line 3,! 8 into tank fifi'myandresults in the operation of the pumping systemas previously described. The liquid thus transferred to tank 20a is discharged therefrom in the course of the pumping action, through a line 3H2 which interconnects the previously mentioned pipes 36a and 3M,and which includes a conventional check valve H4 adapted to permit flow from pipe 3H. into pipe-334' but to prevent a reverse flow.

Asin the previously described embodiments, the tanks 20a and 280 are disposed above the'level of'the boiler 26d, since the embodiment now being described is designed to utilize the pressure within boiler 26a to actuate the'pumping mechanism. Except for this limitation, it will bounderstood that tanks 20a and 28!) may be located in any desired location remote from'or adjacent,

to-boiler 26a, and also may be'located either remotely from or adjacentto each other.

Considering now the operation of the system a whole, pilot valve Ma is shown, as described with reference to the first embodiment, in the venting position, that is, the steam line 88a to, boiler'26a is closed ofi by the pressure valve and the Ventline Soais opened. The space beneath iston 2540f relay valve 282 is therefore vented to atmosphere through pipes zt h'lzaand 96a and the space above the diaphragm of cutoff valve 2l0 is similarly vented. The pressure valve 232 of relay valve 282 is thus closed under the pressure from boiler 26a in line .249. The vent valve 236 of relayvalve 202 is also closed at the time, being urgedto this position by gravity, and the lever 260 being held spaced from the operating head Mi -thereof by the counter weight lever 266, it is noted that the weight of lever 266 is insufiicient to overcome the pressure in line 240,

ao ym which isacting, as stated, to hold valve 232 in the closed position. v

The pressure in the return condensate line tllmderived from anysuitable external source- (not shown), is thus effective to force liquid through the now open cutofi valve 2lQ,-throug1r check valve 362, and into tank 286 by way of pipe 3114, check valve 308 being held closed by I the superior back pressure imposed thereon from boiler 26a.

' As the liquid thus directed into the tank 2M,

rises therein, the pressure there within may rise somewhat, the only effect of such increase in pressure being to impose a downward force upon piston 254 of relay valve 202, resulting in a downward movement thereofwhich may open the vent valve236, thus venting the space above the liquid in tank 200 by way of pipes 242 and 238, without interrupting or interfering with the filling of tank200. 7 When the level of the liquid in tank 208 reaches the level of the connecting pipe 310, the liquid overflows therethrough' into the tank 20a, relatively rapidly filling the latter tank. As described in connection with the first embodiment, the rise of the liquid in tank 200 is accompanied-by a corresponding downward movement of the octuating leveriBa of pilot valve 24a and a corre- I sponding movementto the left, as viewed in Fig.

, also simultaneously applied to the upper'side of the diaphragm associated with cutoff valve 2i!) by way of line 208. The consequent operation of valve 2H] cuts OK the flow of liquid through the return line 308 and interrupts the'rise of liquid in the tank 200.

The application of pressure to the underside the boiler.

of piston 254' of relay valve 202 causes the latter to move upwardly, rotating lever 260 in a counter clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. '7. During this rotation of lever 260, the left hand end thereof first moves away from the under side of the head 264 of vent valve 236, permitting the latter to close, and thereafter, the upper end of piston rod 250 engages the under side of valve 232. Further movement of said piston forces valve 232 to the open position, admitting pressure from boiler 26a to valve 202 through the line 240, and communicating such pressure to the space above the level of the liquid in tank 200 by way of line 242.

The pressure thus admitted totank, 200, counv terbalances the pressure within boiler 20a, which is acting to hold check valve 300 in closed position, and permits a gravity discharge of the liquid in tank 200 through pipes 304 and 306 into boiler 26a. The pressure in tank 200 is also communicated to tank 20a by way of line 3I0, so that the fall of the liquid in tank 200 is accompanied by a corresponding fall of liquid in tank 2011, the relative sizes of the discharge pipes 304, 36a and 3l2, being such that the falls of the liquid in the two tanks occur at substantially the same rate.

The throw of pilot valve 24a to the vent position, resulting as described in the first embodiment, from the fall of the liquid in tank 20a to the predetermined power limit, cuts off the flow of steam from boiler 26a through pipe a and vents the space beneath piston 254 of relay valve 202 throughlines 204, 12a and 06a, the space above the diaphragm in cutoff valve Zlll being correspondingly vented through pipe 20B. It will be'noted that during the course of the pumping action, the pressures on piston 254 are equalized, and the pressures on the pressure valve 232 are correspondingly equalized, since the pressure in lines 240 and 204 are equal, both being derived from boiler 26a. So far as pressures are concerned, accordingly, valve 232 is in a balanced position. As previously stated, however, the counter weight arm 2B6 acts in a direction to open valve 232, and thus maintains the latter in the open position during the pumping action.

In response to the venting of the pressure on the diaphragm of cutoff valve 2H], this valve moves to the open position under the influence of the compression spring 200, associated therewith, thus permitting a flow of liquid from the return line 300 into the pumping system. Similarly, the venting of the pressure from the under side of piston 254 of the relay valve 202 renders the pressure in line 240, derived from the boiler, and in line 242, derived from tank 200, effective to force valve 232 in closed position, closing off line 200 and isolating valve 202' from The pressure in line 202 persists, however, causing piston 254 to continue a downward movement, ultimately bringing the end of lever 260 into engagement with the head 264 of valve 236, moving the latter to an open or venting position, venting the pressure stored in tanks 20a; and 200. After this venting action is complete, it may be expected that vent valve 230 will move to a closed position under the influence of gravity, thus restoring all of the parts to the positions occupied thereby at the beginning of the described cycle, and initiating a flow of liquid into tank 200 from the return line 300. It will benoted that the release of the pressure from tank 200 permits valve 308 to be closed by th back pressure from the boiler 26a. I

As previously stated, the use of the pumping and supplemental tank 20a' and 200, of individual construction, is of advantage first since it permits the various elements of the pumping system to be located either remotely from or adjacent to each other, depending upon the condition of the installation, and also because the relatively large supplementary tank may be constructed with capacity to handle much larger quantities of liquid than it maybe desirable to transmit through the pump tank 20a; A further and important advantage,- resulting from the use of the separate tank, resides'in the resulting improved metering action of the system.

It will be noted that the liquid supplied tothe system through the return line fills the large tank 200 to substantially the maximum level therein before any liquid is transmitted to the smaller tank 20a. Because of the difference in sizes of the two tanks, tank 20a fills at a relatively rapid rate, after the level of the liquid in tank 2011! reaches the connecting pipe am, and any change in the level of the liquid in tank 200, occurring during the filling of tank 20, is of negligible value. Accordingly, even an appreciable variation in the level of liquid in tank 20a at which valve 24a operates, is accompanied by only a negligible variation in level of the liquid in tank 200. Concerning the cut-01f point of the system, it will be noted that the base of tank 20a is positioned somewhat below the base of tank 200, so that when the liquid in tank 20a has fallen to the cutoff value thereof, all of the liquid from tank 200 has been drained therefrom and the liquid stands in pipe 304 at a level below the base of tank 200. This relationship improves the accuracy of the metering action of the present system, since any variation in the level of the liquid in tank 20a atthe time of the cutoff, while representing a corresponding variation-in height of the liquid in pipe 304, introduces only a very small variation in the quantity of liquid pumped in any one cycle because the reduceddiameter of pipe 304. It will be seen, therefore, that the quantities of liquid pumped during each cycle are substantially constant.

In certain instances, such as in connection with the pumping of liquids at high temperatures, as where the return condensate is of a relatively high temperature, it is found satisfactory to eliminate the cut off valve 2"] and to utilize the check'valve 302 to control the line 300. In certain other instances, as where the temperature of the liquid being supplied to the tank by way o'f pipe 300 is of a relatively low value, the

cut off valve H0 is found to be particularly advantageous. In cases where a relatively cold liquid is being supplied to tank 200, the initial admission of the steam pressure thereto, upon operation of pilot valve 24a, may not immediately result in closing of the check valve 302, since a substantial amount of the steam thus supplied to tank 200 may be absorbed by the relatively cold liquid, thus delaying the rise of the pressure in tank 200 to a value sufiicient to close off check valve 302. By providing the positive cutoffvalve 210, however, which operates simultaneously with the introduction of steam pressure to tank 200, the flow through pipe 300 is positively interrupted, and any effects of absorption of the steam are eliminated.

The cut-on" valve '2l0 isalso advantageous in high pressure systems, and in systems where extremefmetering accuracy is required, since it into the closed tank.

Where the system is embodied in a boiler feed, as described, the back pressure of the boiler acts to promptly close the outlet check valve upon movement of the pilot valve to the venting positions. In other instances, as where the liquid is transmitted to a low pressure point, it is desirable to load the outlet check valve artificially, as by a spring or the equivalent expedient common in relief valve constructions, to thereby cause it to promptlyclose upon venting of the pressure from the closed tank.

In Fig. 9, certain aspects of the present invention are embodied in what may be called a selfcontained unit, applicable either for use in a boiler feed system, as described with reference to Figs. 1 through 5, or with reference to the pumping of other liquids in installations such as those mentioned at the beginning of the present specification, in which the actuating pressure for the pumping system may be derived from independent sources and may be either steam, air, gas, or the like.

In Fig. 9 the pump tank 201) and the'pilo valve 2% are supported in adjacent relation upon a base 323, which is provided with a substantially circular neck 322, to accommodate tank 201), and an offset bracket portion 324, which accommodates the pilot valve 24b. Bracket 324 also provides suitable bearings for the shaft 326 which supports the bell crank having the arms int; and 53b.

The intake line 101), which leads into tank 281), may communicate with any suitable source of liquid, and the outlet line 36b, in which the check valve 40b is interposed, may lead to any suitable source to which the liquid is to be directed. As indicated by the reference character subscripts, the elements of the system of Fig. 9 correspond in all respects, except those stated, to the elements of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 through 5, and the operation thereof is the same as described in detail with reference to Figs. 1 through 5. Further description of the embodiment shown in Fig. 9 is therefore thought to be unnecessary.

Fig. 10 illustrates an embodiment of certain aspects of the present invention in a self-contained unit, arranged to have an operating cycle substantially the same as that described with reference to Figs. 6, 7, and 8, and embodying, except as noted below, the same structural fea tures and arrangement of parts.

In Fig. 10, the tank 330, suitably supported upon a base 332 by standards 334, is divided into two separate tanks by a partition 336 for the samereasons described with reference to Figs. 6, 7,v and 8, the present construction being advantageous in that a single outer tank structure is employed.

The right hand end of tank 330, as viewed in Fig. 10, is provided with an upstanding circular flange 338, which supports the cover 340, which corresponds in all respects to the cover 32 described with reference to Figs. 1 through 5, in so far as it provides a bearing for a cross shaft adapted to support the rod 342, which cross shaft also externally supports the lever 344, to which the operating chain 600 is connected.

In the present instance, the rod 342 supports two buckets 333 and 348, positioned in spaced and oppositely directed relation thereon, the bucket 348 being positioned with its base lowermost, and the bucket 346 being positioned with of the two buckets, plus the weight of the liquid previously deposited in bucket 348. As the liquid rises in tank 338, the lower bucket 348 first becomes buoyant, reducing the efiective lifting weight on chain 600, which buoyant effect re-v mains substantially constant from the time the level of the liquid passes the upper edge of bucket 348, until it reaches the underside of bucket 346 and thereby entraps air in the latter. Following the latter action, furtherrise of the liquid in tank 330 imparts a buoyant effect to bucket 346, again reducing the lifting weight on chain 530. The same sequence results during fall of the liquid in tank 330, the initial fall of the liquid increasing the lifting weight on chain 600 as the buoyant effect on bucket346 is reduced, maintaining constant the lifting weight on chain 600 during the period that the liquid is falling from 1 theunder-edge of bucket 346 and until it reaches the upper edge of bucket 348. point, further fall of the liquid results in a further increase of the lifting weight on chain 600; During both the rise and fall of the liquid in the tank, therefore, it will be seen that there is an intermediate period in which the lifting weight on chain 630 remains substantially constant, so that a lost motion is introduced between the After the latter movement of chain 630 and the rise and fall of the liquid in the tanks. This lost motion is of advantage in that it permits use of a valve 240 constructed to accommodate only a limited travel to correspond to a rather substantial travel of the liquid levels.

In all other respects, as indicated by the ref erence character subscripts in Fig. 10- the operation of the embodiment of FigrlO is as describedin detail with reference to Figs. 6, 7 and 8, it being noted that the line 333a may be connected to a suitable external source of supply, and the line 336a may be connected to a suitable point to which the liquid is to bedirected. Similarly, i

the pressure line 880 and 243a may be connected to any suitable source of steam, air, gas or like"- pressure. It is considered therefore, that fur ther description of the embodiment of Fig. 10' is unnecessary.

Referring to Fig. 11, an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in which the pilot.

valve is connected for operation by a float, disposed within the pump tank. In Fig. 11, the arm 58d of the pilot valve 24d is pivotally con nected by a pin 350 to the lower end of a crank 352 suitably keyed to a shaft 354. Shaft 354 extends into the tank 336, and is there connected.

to and disposed for actuation by float 358 carried As will be evident, the.

on the end of a rod. 358. rise and fall of float 358 which occur in accord-' ance with the level of the liquid in tank 356, are transmitted to crank 352 and cause cross-arm 58d to move back and forth with respect to thecooperating valve elements. As in the previously described embodiments the connections between floats 358. and cross-arm 58d are such: that a rise of the float is accompanied'by movement of arm 58d in a direction to ultimately line 2041) is vented through line 966 and. conseactuate valve 24d to the pressure position, and a fall of the level of float 358v results in travel of arm 58d in a direction to cause ultimately a venting movement of valve 24d.

The parts are illustrated in Fig. 11 in self-cont'ained relation, tank 356 being disposed upon standards 362 and supported upon a bed plate 3'64 which also forms a stationary support for the pilot valve structure. I

Fig. 12 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention in a system in which the application of pressure'to and the venting of pressure from a pump tank are controlled by means of a diaphragm or bellows operated mechanism, which may be located at any desirable elevation relative to the pump tank, and in any desired position remote from or adjacent thereto.

In Fig. 12 a tank 310 is provided with an intake pipe 312 which extends thereintoto the level to which the liquid therein is expected to rise; and an outlet pipe 314 connected'into the base of the tank 310 and extending to the apparatus (not shown) with which the pumping system is associated. A check valve 316 is interposed in the line 312, and is disposed to permit a flow through pipe 312 into tank 310 but to prevent an opposite flow. A corresponding check valve 318 is interposed in line 314, and is efiective to permit a flow from the tank through pipe 314 but to prevent a reverse flow. Where the system nowbeing described is utilized in connection with a boiler feed, it will be understood that pipe 312 may be connected to the condensate return line and that pipe 314 may be'connected into the boiler.

Preferably and as illustrated the system includes a pilot valve Mecbrresponding in all respects to the previously described pilot valve 24 and a relay valve 2112b corresponding in all respects to the previously described relay valve 262, which valves are interconnected'by a steam line .2041) and are provided respectively with vent lines 966 and 238D and steam lines 68c and 2401). Valve 20% is provided with an outlet line 2421), which leads into the tank 310 and extends to a point therein above the maximum liquid level.

The actuating lever 58c of valve 24c, carrying the counterweight e, is connected bya chain 60c to a lever 380,'which is pivotally connected by pin 382 to a link 384 which in turn is'pivotally connected to a-bracket 386 secured to the casing 388 of a diaphragmv or bellows operated mechanism. Intermediate its ends, lever 380 is piv-I oted by pin 390 tothe piston rod 392 which extends through a suitable stufling box 394 into the casing 388 and is' connected at its end to the bellows or diaphragm 396, the lower marginal edge of which is suitably sealed to thebase 398 of the unit. A line 4613 connects pipe 314 into the casing 388 externally of the bellows 396. A similar pipe 402 connectspipe 312 with the interior of the bellows or diaphragm 396. The exterior andinterior of the member 396 are thus subjected to pressures proportional .to the static pressures existing at any time in pipes 312 and 314., In the present instance, it is assumed that the external pressure applied to line 312 is constant, so that it will be seen that the interior of element 366 is subjected to a substantially con stant head or load, one component of which is the static head of the liquid in the tank.

Considering the operation of the system as a whole, valve 24c is shown in the venting position, in which, position, as previously described,

quently line 2421), leading into the tank 310, is

ventedthrough line 2381). With the parts in this condition, check valve 318 is closed under the influence of the back pressure existing in the line 314 to the right thereof and check valve 316 is opened under the influence of the return pres sure existing to the left thereof. Liquid thus flows into tank 316 through pipe312 and drains into pipe 314 in which it accumulates. Until the level of the liquid in tank 313 has risen to'the level of the top of the pipe 312 therein, the static pressure in line 312 exceeds the static pressure in line 314 so that consequently the underside of member 396 is subjected to a greater pressure than the exterior thereof. The differential between the two static pressures, however, de-

- creases progressively as the liquid in tank 316 rises and in response to the decreasing differential, the member 396 gradually collapses, under the influence of the weight on chain 666. When the static pressures become equal, the valve 24c operates, supplying pressure to relay valve 2112b through line 264b, which valve, through line240b and 2421) admits pressure to the space in tank 319 above the level of the liquid. The pressure thus introduced causes check valve 316 to close and check valve 318 to open, either because the pressure within tank 316 is superior to the back pressure in line 314, or where such pressures are equal as in a boiler feed system such as described above, because tank 316 is above the level of the boiler. Accordingly, the liquid within tank 31!] starts to discharge therefrom through pipe 314. although the static head'in pipe 312 remains substantially constant, the static head in pipe 314 progressively decreases, thus expanding element 336 and ultimately causing valve 246 to againoperate, venting the space above the liquid in tank 310. Preferably the adjustment of the parts is such that the diiferential pressures reach the operating value only after the liquid has drained completely from tank 316 and stands at a predetermined "point within pipe 314. With this arrangement, although the rise and fall of the liquid in pipe 314 represents a substantial change in the relation between the static pressures in pipes 486 and 462, any differences in level in'pipe 314 at which valve 246 operates make only negligible differences in the total quantity of liquid pumped in successive cycles.

Considering now the embodiment shown in Figure 13, and in the accompanying detail views, Figures 14 and 15, the arrangement, in a broad sense, i."

distinguishes from that of Figure 12 in that the force supplied to the diaphragm or bellows by the static head pressure of the'liquid in the closed tank is opposed by a substantially constant force which is independent of the static pressure on the inlet side of the system and thus is unaffected by any variations which may occur in such inlet static pressure.

The system comprises generally a tank 310a to' and from which the pressure is to be selectively admitted and vented; a diaphragmoperated element and a pilot valve corresponding in all respects with those described with reference to Figure 12 except as hereinafter noted; a relay valve 410; a vent valve M2 and what may for conveniencebe called a surge'tank 414.

The liquid admitted to and forced from tank 316a passes through a pipe 4 I 6 connected into the base thereof, and also connectedb-y a T-fitting 418 to an inlet line 426 and an outlet line 422.

As this action continues,

Inlet line 526 is provided with a conventional check valve 52% disposed to permit a flow of liquid from pipe 326 into pipe M6 but to prevent an opposite flow and outlet pipe 422 is provided with a corresponding check valve 426 disposed to permit a flow from-pipe M6 through outlet pipe 422 to prevent an opposite flow. It will be understood that where the system is used as a boiler feed, inlet pipe 426 may be suitably connected to the condensate return line and that pipe 422 may be suitably connected into the boiler.

A pipe 5128 forms a connection between the inlet and discharge line M6 and the interior of the bellows or diaphragm element 3960, thus applying a variable expansive force thereto, one component of which is proportional to the static head pressure of the liquid in tank 319a. The exterior of element 396:: is subjected to a substantially con- 1 stant collapsing force due to the static head pressure of a column of liquid which stands in the pipe 438 and rises to a predetermined and sub stantially constant level in the surge tank 4M. Pipe 43% is connected, as will be evident, into the housing (138841, of element 396a. The expansion and contraction of element 396a is thus effected in accordance with the difierential between the sub stantially constant collapsing force applied thereto by the liquid in pipe 536 and in tank M4 and the variable expansive force applied thereto through the connection 428.

Accordingly, as the liquid level in tank 376a rises, element 396a correspondingly expands, forcing the connecting rod 392a thereof upwardly. The movement of rod 392a is communicated to the arm I361 of valve 26] through a bell crank 432, fulcrumed upon a pin 43% carried by a pivotedlink 384a. Through this connection, movement of rod 392a, which accompanies a rise of the liquid in tank 316a, causes arm 136 to move to the left, as viewed in Figure 13, which in accordance with the previously described constructions, ultimately actuates valve 24 from the illustrated venting position to the pressure position, closing off the vent pipe 96) and connecting the output line 2040 to the pressure line 88 Similarly, a fall of the liquid in tank 316a causes rod 392a to move downwardly, resulting in a movement to the right, as viewed in Figure 13, of arm i313) and ultimately causing the actuationof valve 25] from the pressure position to the venting position, closing off the pressure line 88], and connecting the output line 2540 to the vent pipe 95].

Continuing with the description of the parts, the output line 2M0 of valve 24] branches, one branch 436 thereof being connected into the piston cylinder 238 of the relay valve M6, and the branch Mil being correspondingly connected into the piston cylinder M2 of the vent valve M2.

Referring to Figure 14-, the relay valve l I 6 comprises a housing 556 divided into two chambers by a web 52, a passage through which is disposed to be opened and closed as hereinafter described by a valve 45 t. A pipe 456, connected into the chambers thus formed, extends into tank 315a to a point above the maximum level of the liquid therein, and serves to transmit the pumping pressure through valve Mil to tank 316a. A pipe 458 connected into the other chamber formed in the valve housing may lead to a suitable source of actuating pressure, which in the case of a boiler feed system as previously described may be the boiler itself.

Valve 45A is provided with a rod 666, connected at one end to a piston 462, which is .reciprocable an upward in the cylinder providedthereior in the housing and the other end of which extends outwardly. of

underside of piston 462 is subjected to thepres'sure applied thereto through the pilot valve 24 the other side thereof is subjected to the pressure transmitted through the relay valve'M 0;

The vent valve 4 l 2 corresponds in all respects to valve M6 with the exception that the counter weight arm 486 thereof acts in a direction to hold the valve 482 in closed position, and that pressure applied to the underside of piston 484 through line M6 acts to close the valve 482. Valve 4! 2 is connected by a line 486 to the surge tank I Md, and is also provided with a vent pipe 488 V When in the open position, accordingly, valve M2 vents surge tank 414 through pipes 486 and 488 and, because of the equalizing connection 490 which extends from a point in tank 316a above the maximum liquid level therein into surge tank 3M, also serves to vent tank 316a.

Considering now'the operation as a whole of the embodiment shown in Figure '13, pilot valve 24 is illustrated as occupying the ventingposition, to which position it was moved at the con-1 clusion of a discharge of liquid from tank 3llla.*

Under these conditions, the space beneath pistons 462 and 384 is vented through pipe 96). Relay valve M6 is held in the closed position by the external pressure applied to the top of valve 454 through the pressure line 456, which pressure is superior to the opening bias applied to valve 554 by the counterweight arm 466'. Similarly, vent valve M2 may be expected to be in the closed position, in which position it is held by the force applied thereto by the counterweight arm 480. j With the parts in the just stated condition;

liquid is permitted to flow through-pipe M6" into tank 316a through the inlet line 426. During the rise of the liquid in tank 316a, any pressure developed in lines 490 and 486 by the reduction in the space abovethe liquid in tank 3'Hlasup plies an openingbias to piston 484 of vent valve This pressure, if above aipredetermined value, forces valve M2 to the open position, vent-f ing pressure thus developed, and permitting valve M2 to reclose under the influence of arm 48!).

The gradual rise ofthe liquid in tank 310a correspondingly increases the static head pressure applied to the interior of bellows element 396d through the connection 428, gradually expanding the latter, and causingvalve arm Hill) to correspondingly move to the left, as viewed in Figure" 13. Ultimately, when a predetermined level of the liquid in tank finals reached, valve 24] is thrown to the pressure position, closing oiT the vent pipe 961 and connecting the outlet pipe 2640 with the pressure pipe 88] which, in the case of the boiler feed system, may be connected directly into the boiler as previously described or, in other systems, may be connected to an independent source of pressure. Pressure thus supplied to outlet pipe 2640 is distributed through pipes 436 and M0 to the pistons 462 and 484.

causing piston 462 to move upwardly, opening valve 454, and causing valve'462 to close unless l0 viously described relay valve 262, that while the already closed by the force applied thereto through counterweight arm 480.

The closed condition of valve 482 closes ofi the vent line 486. The opening of valve 410 connects pipe 456 with the external supply pipe 458, thus supplying a pressure to the liquid in tank 310a, which pressure initiates a discharge from tank 310a of the liquid therein, closing check valve 424, and opening check valve 426. The pressure thus supplied to the liquid in tank 310a and transmitted to the underside of element 306a through pipe 428 is equalized by an equal pressure applied to the upper side of the bellows through the equalizing connection 490, so that the position of the bellows element is unaffected by the admission to tank 310a of the pumping pressure.

As the liquid level in the tank 310a. falls, the expanding force on bellows element 396a gradually decreases, permitting a corresponding collapsing movement thereof, which results in a movement to the right of the valve arm 130] and ultimately actuates pilot valve 24 to the venting position, closing off the supply line 88 and opening the vent line 061.

The venting movement of valve 24 f vents the space beneath the piston 462, permitting the latter element to be forced downwardly to valve closing position by the. combined back pressure in pipe 456 and the external pressure in pipe 458. Upon valve 454 reaching the closed position, the pressure in pipe 458 acts upon the upper surface thereof and maintains the valve in the closed position.

The venting of pressure from the underside of piston 484 correspondingly permits such element to be forced downwardly to valve opening position by the back pressure existing in line 486. The opening movement of valve 414 vents the pump tank 310a and the surge tank 414 through the vent pipe 488, thus reducing the back pressure in pipe 486 which, as just stated, is acting to'hold valve 412 in the open position. Upon a complete venting of the pressure in the line, valve 412 again moves to the closed position under the influence of the counterweight arm 480, thus restoring the parts to the positions occupied thereby at the beginning of the pumping cycle, in which they are in readiness for a duplicate cycle.

As an alternative to the two separate valve structures 410 and 412 described above, the unitary valve structure 500, shown in Figure 16, may be utilized. Referring to Figure 16, valve 500 comp-rises a housing 502, within which a cylinder 504 is suitably supported, and which slidably receives a pair of opposed pistons 506 and 508. The rod 510 of piston 506 is connected to a valve 512 which closes off an associated passage at one end of the housing 102, which passage communicates with a vent pipe 48801,,

which corresponds in all respects to the ventpipe 488 described with reference to valve 412, and may be similarly associated with the surge tank 414 and the pump tank 310a. The piston rod 516 associated with piston 508 is provided with a valve 518 which closes 01f a passage at the other end of the valve housing, which passage affords communication between the valve and a pressure pipe 458a, which may correspond in all respects to the pressure pipe 458 described with reference to Figure 13. v

The housing 502 also provides an outlet passage 522 into which an outlet pipe 456w is threaded, which outlet pipe corresponds in all respects to the outlet pipe 456 described with reference to Fig. 13, except that it may serve to both supply pressure to and vent pressure from the tank, the line 486 of Figure 13 thus being unnecessary. A web 524, which extends between the cylinder 504 and the housing 502, is provided with a passage 526, one end of which opens into the cylinder space between piston 508, and the other end of which communicates with a source of pilot pressure through a pipe 204d, which may correspond in all respects to the pipe 2040 described with reference to Figure 13.

With the construction as just described, it will be understood that pressure admitted to valve through the line 204d forces the two pistons 506 and 508 apart, to the limiting positions thereof, in which valve 512 is closed, and valve 518 is opened. The closure of valve 512 closes ofi the vent line 488a, and the opening of valve 518 admits pressure to the valve structure through pipe 4580., which is transmitted through the valve through the line 456a. Similarly, if pipe 204d is vented, which, as previously described, may occur when the liquid level in a tank associated with the valve falls to a predetermined minimum level, the space between pistons 506 and 508 is vented, permitting the pistons to be forced together by the force applied on the outer faces thereof by the pressure existing within the valve structure. This action opens the vent valve 512, venting pipe 456a through pipe 488a, and closes the pressure valve 518, thus closing off the pressure line 458a. The manner of utilizing valve 500 in the system of Figure 13, in substitution for the two valves 410 and 412, is thought to be evident from the foregoing without further description,

The remaining illustrated embodiment distinguishes from the embodiment of Figure 13 only in the method of loading the diaphragm element and accordingly, in Fig. 17, only those portions of the system which illustrate such differences are shown. The system of Figure 1'7 may be characterized in a broad sense by noting that the contracting or collapsing movements of the bellows or diaphragm element 3915b are effected by tending to evacuate the space within it, which tendency is effected by-so adjusting the parts, and by so relating the elevations of tank 310!) and the diaphragm element that when the valve 249 is actuated to the venting position, the liquid being discharged from tank 3102) stands in pipe 416a at a point below the level of the baseof the diaphragm housing, such as the point represented by the line 1:. Accordingly, the fall of the liquid to this point tends also to evacuate the bellows element 396?), and correspondingly collapses the element. A rise of the liquid in tank 31%, on the other hand, refills the bellows element, causing it to expand as in the case of the system. of Figure 13. Thus, expanding movements of the bellows, tending to cause movement of the pilot valve to a pressure position and which accompany a rise of the liquid in the pump tank, are

Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed herein, it will be evident that various changes in the form, number and arrangement of parts may be made within the spirit and scope thereof. It will also be evident that various features of the present invention may be utilized independently of other features thereof, and that the invention as a whole or in part may be applied to uses other than the specified uses. The foregoing description, accordingly, is to be considered in an illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. In a system for controlling the flow of liquid, a closed tank having inlet and outlet check valves associated therewith; means movably responsive to the liquid level in said tank; and a valve for controlling the admission to and venting of pressure from said tank comprising a pivoted valve operating member, an arm reciprocable back and forth across said member from one side of the pivot point thereof to the other and disposed to effect the pivoting thereof, means for preventing said pivoting except at predetermined limit positions of said arm, and a connection be tween said arm and said first mentioned means.

2. In a system for controlling the flow of liquid, the combination of a tank having inlet and outlet check valves associated therewith; means movably responsive to the level of the liquid in said tank; a pilot valve having an element directly movable by said means and pressure and vent valves controlled thereby; a relay valve havingpressure and vent ports; means'connecting said relay valve to said pilot valve for operation thereby; means connecting said relay valve to said tank so that when said relay valve is opened, pressure is admitted to said tank and when said relay vent valve is closed pressure is vented from said tank, and means for operating said pilot valve member comprising a pivoted valve operating member, an arm reciprocable back and forth across said member from one side of the pivot point thereof to the other and disposed to effect the pivoting thereof, means for preventing said pivoting except at predetermined limit positions of said arm, and a connection between said arm and said first mentioned means.

3. Valve mechanism comprising, in combination, a housing formed to provide a chamber having inlet and outlet passages; valve means movable to open and close certain of said passages; a pivoted member for efiecting the movement of said valve means; an arm reciprocable back and forth across said pivoted member from one side of the pivot point thereof to the other and disposed to efiect the pivoting thereof; and means for preventing pivoting movement of said member except when said arm approaches predetermined limit positions.

4. Relay valve mechanism comprising, in combination, a housing formed to provide a valve chamber and a cylinder, a piston reciprocable in said cylinder and having a piston rod; inlet and outlet valves in said housing; a lever pivoted in said housing having one end engageable by said piston rod and the other end engageable by one of said valves; an operating member for the other of said valves engageable by said piston rod for movement thereby; and a counter-weight connected to said lever for biasing it to a predetermined rotative position.

5. In a system for controlling the flow of liquid, means constituting a relatively large and a relatively small tank so related as to permit overflow from said larger tank into said smaller tank when the liquid in said larger tank rises to a predetermined level therein; means associated with said two tanks for correlating the fall of the levels of the liquids therein; mechanism movably positioned in said smaller tank and disposed torise and fall thereinrespectively in accordance with the rise and fall of the liquid in said smaller tank; and valve means responsive to a liquid level increasing movement of said mechanism for admitting pressure-to said larger tank and responsive to a liquid level lowering movement of said mechanism for venting pressure from said tank.

6. In a system for controlling the flow of liquid, means constituting a relatively large and a relatively small tank so related as to permit overflow from said larger tank into said smaller tank when the liquid in said larger tank rises to a predetermined level therein; means associated with said two tanks for correlating the fall of the levels of the liquids therein; mechanism movably positioned in said smaller tank and disposed to rise and fall therein respectively in accordancewith the rise and fall of the liquid in said smaller tank; valve means responsive to a liquid level increasing movement of said mechanism for admit"-- ting pressure to said larger tank and responsive toa liquid level lowering movement of said mechanism for venting pressure from said tank; and

means associated with said valve means for preventing actuation thereof except at predetermined maximum and minimum levels of the HQ". uid in said smaller tank. I

'7. In a system for controlling the flow of liq uid, means constituting a relatively large tank having a'restricted outlet and a relatively small tank so related as to permit overflow from said larger tank into said smaller tank when the liquid in said larger tank rises to a predetermined level therein; mechanism movably responsive to the rise and fall of the liquid in said smaller tank; valve means responsive to a liquid level increasing movement of said mechanism for admitting pressure to said larger tank and responsive to a liquid level lowering movement of said mechanism for venting pressure from said tank; means associated with said valve means for preventing actuation thereof except at predetermined maximum and minimum levels of the liquid in said smaller tank; and means correlating the falls of the levels of the liquids in said tanks so that when the liquid in said smaller tank has fallen to said minimum value, the liquid level is in said re-' stricted portion of said larger tank.

8. In a system for controlling the flow of liquids, a tank; inlet and outlet'means' for admitting liquid to and discharging liquid from said tank respectively; means for measuring the pressures in said inlet and outlet means; and means responsive to a predetermined increase of said outlet pressure relative to said inlet pressure for admittingpressure to said tank and responsive to a predetermined decrease of said outlet pres sure relative to said inlet pressure for venting pressure from said tank.

9. In a system for controlling the flow of liquids by the admission to and venting of pressure from a tank; inlet and outlet means for admitting liquid to and discharging liquid from said tank 10. A system. adapted for controlling the flow of relatively high temperature liquid .through'a tank by the admission to and venting of pressure from the tank, comprising in combination, a supply line for supplying .saidliquid to said tank;v

a second supply line for supplying make-up liquid to said tank; an element movably responsive to the liquid level in said tank and valve mechanism controlled thereby for controlling said pressure; and means including a heat exchange device associated with said supply and make-up lines in which said make-up liquid functions as a cooling agent for reducing the temperature of the liquid in said supply line.

11. In asystem for controlling the flow of liq;- uid by the admission to and venting of pressure from a closed tank, the combination of means for admitting liquid to and discharging liquid from said tank; a movable element; means for subjecting one side of said element to the static head pressure of the liquid in said closed tank; additional means for subjecting the other side of said element to a predetermined load opposing said static head pressure; an equalizing connection for subjecting said other side'of said element to the pressure in said tank but not to the said static head; and valve mechanism actuated by movement of said element for admitting said first named pressure to said tank upon a rise of the liquid therein and for venting said first named pressure from said tank upon a fall of the liquid therein.

' 12. In a system for controlling the flow of liquid by the admission to and venting of pressure from a closed tank, the combination of means for admitting liquid to and discharging liquid from said tank; a movable element; means for subjecting said element to the static head pressure of the liquid in said closed tank; additional means comprising a supplemental tank independent of said liquid static pressure for subjecting said element to a predetermined load opposing said static head pressure; and valve mechanism actuated by movement of said element for admitting said first named pressure to said tank upon a rise of the liquid therein and for venting said first named pressure from said tank upon a fall of the liquid therein.

13. In a system for controlling the flow of liquid by the admission to and venting of pressure from a closed tank, the combination of means for admitting liquid to and discharging liquid from said tank; a movable element and a housing therefor; means for subjecting said element to the static head pressure of the liquid in said closed tank to cause movement thereof in one direction; means for subjecting saidelementto the pressure in said tank in opposition to said static head pressure said closed tank and said housing being so correlated as to relative position that as the liquid falls in said closed tank said housing is evacuated and said element moved by suction action; and valve mechanism controlled by movement of said element for controlling said first named pressure.

14. In a system for controlling the flow of liquid, means constituting a relatively large and a relatively small tank interconnected to permit overflow from said larger tank into said smaller tank when the liquid in said larger tank rises to a predetermined level therein; means associated with said two tanks for correlating the fall of the levels of the liquids therein; mechanism movmember, and relay valve including a piston controlled by said pilot valve and disposed to admit and exhaust pressure from said larger tank.

15. In a system for controlling the fiow of liquids by the admission to and venting of pressure from a tank; inlet and outlet means for admitting liquid to and discharging liquid from said tank respectively; means for measuring the pressures in said inlet and outlet means; means including an expansible and contractible element movably responsive to the difierential between said pressures; a pilot valve having a reciprocable arm movable by said element, a pivoted member pivotable upon predetermined movement of said arm and a valve member actuable by said pivoted member; and a relay valve having a piston movablyresponsive to said valve member and dis-' posed to control said first mentioned pressure.

16. In a system for controlling the flow of liquid, a tank having inlet and outlet check valves associated therewith; valve means for controlling the admission to and venting of pressure from said tank; an element movably responsive to the level of the liquid in said tank; an operating mechanism for said valve means disposed for movement by said element and comprising a pivoted member for effecting the movement of said valve means, an arm reciprocable back and forth across said pivoted member from one side of the pivot point thereof to the other and disposed to effect the pivot thereof, and means for preventing pivoting movement of said member except when said arm approaches predetermined limit positions.

17. In a system for controlling the flow of liquid by the admission to and Venting of pressure from a liquid container, means constituting a relatively large and a relatively small container so related as to permit overflow from said larger container into said smaller container when the liquid in said larger container rises to a predetermined level therein; means including a first v valve for supplying the liquid to said larger container, means associated with said two containers for correlating the fall of the levels of the liquids therein; an element movably responsive to the liquid level of the smaller container; a valve operating member responsive to the movement of said element; means preventing movement of said valve operating member except when the liquid level of the smaller container reaches predetermined maximum andminimum values; and valve means responsive to movement of said valve operating member for controlling said pressure and for actuating said first valve.

18. In a system for controlling the fiow of liquid, the combination of a closed tank and means for admitting liquid to and discharging liquid from said tank; a diaphragm chamber; means connecting said chamber to the said closed tank so that one side of said diaphragm is subjected to the static head pressure of the liquid in the said closed tank; means for subjecting said diaphragm to a substantially constant load opposing said static head pressure; and for subjecting the other side of said diaphragm to the pressure in said tank but not to said static head pressure; and valve mechanism actuated by said diaphragm so that pressure is admitted to said tank when the rise of the liquid therein causes the diaphragm to move in one direction and pressure is vented from said tank when the fall of the liquid therein causes the diaphragm to move in the opposite direction.

19, In a system for controlling the flow of liquid by the admission to and venting of pressure from a closed tank, the combination of means for admitting liquid to and discharging liquid from said tank; a movable element; means for subjecting said element to the static head pressure of the liquid in said closed tank; means for subjectin the said element to a predetermined load and to the pressure in said tank opposing said static head pressure; and valve mechanism actuated by said element for admitting said first named pressure to said tank upon a rise of the liquid therein and for venting said first named pressure from said tank upon a fall of the liquid therein.

20. Valve mechanism comprising, in combination, a housing formed to provide a chamber having inlet and outlet passages; valve means movable to open-and close certain of said passages; a

pivoted member for efiecting the movement of said valve; an arm reciprocable back and forth across said pivoted member from. one side of the pivot point thereof to the other and disposed to efiect the pivoting thereof; a pair of latches, one thereof disposed to prevent pivoting of said pivoted member in one direction and the other thereof disposed to prevent pivoting of said pivoted member in the other direction; and a member carried by said arm and disposed to engage one of said latches as one limiting position of said arm isapproached to release said one latch and to engage the other of said latches as the other limiting position thereof is approached to release said other latch.

ALFREDC. PAGE. 

